Services

Watersports push for Mermaid site

DEVELOPERS are hoping ambitious plans to breathe new life into a mothballed seafront complex could be realised in time for the summer.

Sussex-based Strenson Investments are looking to transform the former Mermaid Café site in Brighton Road, Lancing, into a water sports centre and a 120-cover café.

The “seven-figure” makeover of the long-term derelict site will also see holiday chalets and a water sports equipment shop constructed.

Developers are aiming to make the property carbon neutral with the only external power source needed to power kitchen equipment.

The property’s owners rejected proposals from the community to transform the 7,500 ft site into an ice rink, bowling alley, a drug and rehabilitation centre, art gallery, yoga centre or cinema and argue the water sports centre is the most sustainable option for the site.

The firm hopes to take advantage of Lancing’s prominence as a leading kite-surfing location and provide a facility for water sport professionals and novices alike.

The site was purchased at auction for £500,000 less than a year ago.

Adur District Council had given the green light in 2005 to plans for a Thai restaurant at the site but despite £1 million investment, the restaurant never opened.

Alex Hole from the father and son firm said: “We really want a quick planning process so we can get it open for the summer.

“We want to reduce the risk for the people of Lancing so simply using the site for shops was not an option because in three to four years it could just be empty retail space.”

Comments

Good luck to them. The whole stretch from Shoreham to Worthing needs to make more of its links with Kite Surfing - it was practically invented in Shoreham I think!? An opportunity is being missed.

Good luck to them. The whole stretch from Shoreham to Worthing needs to make more of its links with Kite Surfing - it was practically invented in Shoreham I think!? An opportunity is being missed.jamus77

Good luck to them. The whole stretch from Shoreham to Worthing needs to make more of its links with Kite Surfing - it was practically invented in Shoreham I think!? An opportunity is being missed.

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markiemark1
5:53pm Fri 4 Jan 13

This would be an excellent use of the site - just hope that Adur and Worthing Council's planning people can get their thumbs out of their behinds and get the project moving!!!

This would be an excellent use of the site - just hope that Adur and Worthing Council's planning people can get their thumbs out of their behinds and get the project moving!!!markiemark1

This would be an excellent use of the site - just hope that Adur and Worthing Council's planning people can get their thumbs out of their behinds and get the project moving!!!

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john5001
8:26pm Fri 4 Jan 13

no, no, we want something we can all use .the car park to small, a lot of wind surfers use it , give us a slip way that's free and some where to change

no, no, we want something we can all use .the car park to small, a lot of wind surfers use it , give us a slip way that's free and some where to changejohn5001

no, no, we want something we can all use .the car park to small, a lot of wind surfers use it , give us a slip way that's free and some where to change

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ShorehamBeachcomber
8:26am Sat 5 Jan 13

It's too big & ugly as it is without a ludicrous idea to build 'holiday chalets' alongside
Do they think they own the beach ?
they bought a building NOT the right to build more property next to it
Do not be misled this is not about water sports it's all a smokescreen for property development, no wonder they want fast approval

It's too big & ugly as it is without a ludicrous idea to build 'holiday chalets' alongside
Do they think they own the beach ?
they bought a building NOT the right to build more property next to it
Do not be misled this is not about water sports it's all a smokescreen for property development, no wonder they want fast approvalShorehamBeachcomber

It's too big & ugly as it is without a ludicrous idea to build 'holiday chalets' alongside
Do they think they own the beach ?
they bought a building NOT the right to build more property next to it
Do not be misled this is not about water sports it's all a smokescreen for property development, no wonder they want fast approval

Score: 0

beachhutowner365
2:39pm Sat 5 Jan 13

Thats not what they are proposing at all. They aren't developing on the beach the holiday chalets are part of the building. its all in that building, if this lot don't get it going its just going to sit there for another 5 years and blot lancing beach.

Shorehambeachcomber you seem badly informed informed on this

Thats not what they are proposing at all. They aren't developing on the beach the holiday chalets are part of the building. its all in that building, if this lot don't get it going its just going to sit there for another 5 years and blot lancing beach.
Shorehambeachcomber you seem badly informed informed on thisbeachhutowner365

Thats not what they are proposing at all. They aren't developing on the beach the holiday chalets are part of the building. its all in that building, if this lot don't get it going its just going to sit there for another 5 years and blot lancing beach.

Shorehambeachcomber you seem badly informed informed on this

Score: 0

ChrisDS
6:40pm Sat 5 Jan 13

Am pretty sure this will be an assett to Lancing ... does seem though that no one is concerned that Lancing people use the beach to swim in and laze on .... well known fact that sports need to be kept away from normal swimmers and would hate to see the residents of Lancing forced off their own beach by private enterprise. Oh and i see nothing in the plans for better first aid anywhere ...( the nearest ambulances being in Durrington !)

Am pretty sure this will be an assett to Lancing ... does seem though that no one is concerned that Lancing people use the beach to swim in and laze on .... well known fact that sports need to be kept away from normal swimmers and would hate to see the residents of Lancing forced off their own beach by private enterprise. Oh and i see nothing in the plans for better first aid anywhere ...( the nearest ambulances being in Durrington !)ChrisDS

Am pretty sure this will be an assett to Lancing ... does seem though that no one is concerned that Lancing people use the beach to swim in and laze on .... well known fact that sports need to be kept away from normal swimmers and would hate to see the residents of Lancing forced off their own beach by private enterprise. Oh and i see nothing in the plans for better first aid anywhere ...( the nearest ambulances being in Durrington !)

Ipsoregulated

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